‘Military offensive not enough to win terror war’

The new chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), Elder Philips Olaiya, spoke with reporters in Lagos last week on issues affecting Christians in the north. Sunday Oguntola was there

What are the cardinal objectives of your group?

NOSCEF stands for the values of fairness, equity and justice for all Nigerians regardless of their tribe, religion, creed or political affiliation. We want to be a strong voice and powerful vehicle for the northern Christian community and their support for these values.

To that end, we will protect and defend the interests of Nigerian Christians in the north of the country; provide help when and where necessary to that constituency; promote unity and peace across denominational lines in the region; galvanise consensus on political, social and sectarian issues in the overall interest of Nigerians in general and that of northern Christians in particular.

Northern Christians are powerful by virtue of our numbers but we remain a threatened minority. Our voice must and will be heard. Our interests must and will be respected.

Many assume that it is just a replication of CAN. What relationship exists between your group and CAN?

The idea of NOSCEF arose from the Northern CAN, so there is a generic relationship there. NOSCEF has, for its part, continued to provide an important forum for reflecting the voice of Northern Nigerian Christendom. NOSCEF unreservedly recognises CAN as the overarching umbrella body for Christians in Nigeria.

Dissenting voices in CAN, especially the Catholic, are against Pastor Oritsejafor’s style of leadership. What’s your take on it?

I am not sure that I would characterise the Roman Catholic interface with CAN as one of a dissenting voice; it is more that of a strong voice that has continued to engage with the umbrella body. I would also disagree that Catholics as a body are against Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Pastor Oritsejafor has been a pillar of institutional growth for the body of Christ. There will always be periodic differences in interpretation where members are drawn from such bodies with clear convictions; this is as much the strength of CAN as anything else.

How did you emerge as leader of a Northern Christian Elders’ group, being a Yoruba man?

The constitution of NOSCEF prescribes membership for anyone who is over 40 and resides in the north. I am over 50 and live in Abuja. If you require more while both my parents grew up in and met in Lagos, my father’s parents were from Kogi State and my mother’s from Ogun State.

I believe I was chosen because it was felt that I, along with my fellow members of the executives, could make positive contributions to the body in whatever way our Lord sees fit.

What would be the way out of the Boko Haram’s insurgency in the north?

There is no magic wand to use to wish away the menace that is Boko Haram. What continues to be necessary is a firm and consistent approach in tackling the menace robustly. We need tough security measures to fight the terrorism and protect our people, measures to address the grievances that fuel the insurgency like the lack of jobs, education and investment and political steps to engage the militants themselves and persuade them to end the violence.

We have been and continue to work with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation in seeking to promote dialogue. It cannot be dialogue at any cost though, and while the dialogue is pursued, Boko Haram too must be pursued vigorously on the ground.

How do you react to claims and counter-claims by Christian and Muslim leaders as to who is more affected by the terror attacks?

Both Christians and Moslems have suffered in the hands of Boko Haram. And both Christians and Moslems must join hands in resisting the public menace Boko Haram represents. We believe though that the most vicious attacks have been reserved for Christians precisely because Boko Haram sees Christians as infidels, by definition.

Do you see military intervention eventually succeeding?

To look to a purely military solution would be misguided and unhelpful. Military intervention can be a pivotal part of an overall solution if it is maintained and sustained at levels that enable it to contribute to a political solution by forcing Boko Haram to the negotiation table.

Will northern Christians vote for a Muslim presidential candidate?

Northern Christians will vote for the candidate most likely to fulfill his promises and thereby bring closer a society without contrived boundaries. And we will support and encourage them so to do. At this stage, who that might be is in the realm of speculation. I do not intend to indulge in or encourage such speculation.

I do intend, however, to stand up for the interests of northern Christians. We will make our decision on the basis of the choice presented to us at the next election.

We are a threatened people, our very survival and that of the country is at stake. We have to do everything we can to protect our community and the unity of the country.

Above all, we expect leaders to provide security for our churches and our congregations to provide jobs for our young people and an ethical approach to government. This is what we expect and what will determine who we throw our support behind, nothing else.

Do you believe the security forces are committing human rights abuses in the north?

I am unable to answer that question unequivocally. In the fog of war, there are often unforeseen and unintended consequences. Throughout history, military engagements against unconventional forces, particularly terrorist bodies, often mean there is collateral damage, whether to people or to institutions. I neither sanction nor welcome such overreaching but I am able to contextualise it.

What changes should we expect from the new leadership of NOSCEF?

I and the national executives expect to continue to be guided by the interests of our council. We shall seek to promote those interests through our religious, social, cultural and geopolitical interactions.

Are the attacks politically motivated?

I believe Boko Haram members are advocates of a violent political Islam.

Any plan to help victims?

Aside from the support that we attempt to bring directly, we are involved with other organisations in the support chain to help victims. We are also committed to lobbying government to be even more proactive in assisting victims. By not assisting the victims more, we become in some small way complicit in promoting the objective of the terrorist.

If we had a Muslim president, do you think things would have been different?

I suspect that Nigeria’s problems would not be much different if we had a Muslim president than they are for President Jonathan now; and they will be just as pressing. We should focus more on outcomes and performance rather than the religious beliefs of the officeholder. By definition, a different president would bring about a different presidency, regardless of religious persuasion. Whether such a Christian or Muslim would drive that difference is a one-dimensional perspective.

Do you agree with Obasanjo’s criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan?

He (Obasanjo) is entitled to his opinions. It is not for me to get into these kinds of disputes. I am focused more on the interests of northern Christians. What they want are political leaders who are willing and able to address their key concerns.

Will negotiations with Islamic terrorists really work?

Negotiations are a stage in a political process. I do not know what stage that political interface is between government representatives and representatives of Boko Haram but I am sure such is ongoing.

Is military winning the war against terror?

Again, your question mistakenly attributes to the military alone the responsibility for “winning the war”. That cannot be. The responsibility lies in the political arena bringing about a solution forced by military power and prowess.

Are the attacks a way of saying southerners should leave the region?

I have already spoken of the dangers of our becoming prisoners of our language. Why do you speak as if Boko Haram (even assuming, though not conceding) has widespread support in the north? I know that it does not; what it seeks to exploit is fear. It preys upon the fears of people already marginalised and attributes all the ills of the world to the nominated foe.

A clear majority of northerners welcome the southerners in their midst and treasure the idea of Nigeria. They know as well as any one else that the idea of Nigeria is incompatible with ethnic cleansing.

Do you think northern Muslims that condemn Boko Haram are sincere?

Again, one must be wary of sweeping generalisations. I think most northern Muslims appreciate that Boko Haram represents an existential threat to them.

For them to do anything but support the war on terror would be an act of political suicide. They know full well that if one rides on the back of a tiger the possibility always exists of ending up in its stomach.

Christians have suffered age-long discriminations with regards to church buildings, appointments, working conditions and others in the north. Are there plans to reverse these?

This is true and we are committed to rectifying it. What you describe is part of a larger malaise of maladministration in Nigeria. In the north, it also comes clothed in religious intolerance and bigotry. What needs to be tackled for the good of the country will also encompass the north and all vestiges of bigotry and religious intolerance.